I leave for Napa Valley for a week on Sunday (I’ll be blogging the trip as it unfolds) and I am quite excited for many reasons- staying at the Carneros Inn, eating at Bouchon, walking Main Street in St. Helena…but mostly I’m psyched for the wine. I enjoy me some wine. Call me a wino if you will, and I’ll take the title with a smile and a click of the glass to you. But I’m no wine snob- oh no. I often select my wine based on how pretty the label is. I’m hoping my Napa trip will make me a more informed wine consumer, but I will never ever tire of well designed packaging. So when I saw the Jaqk Wine Cellars playing card inspired bottles over on Oh Joy today I did a little happy dance. How chic! How pretty to have in your wine rack! Let’s pop that cork! I’m hoping the gorgeous wine store on my block will get some of these in soon!
Wait, we are not supposed to judge a wine by its bottle?
I figure if they went through the trouble to hire a designer for a nice label, they’ve probably put as much effort into the wine itself. Have fun in Napa!
Carneros- I’m JEALOUS. I first was introduced to it when they came to our offices to present, and it’s been on my wish list ever since. It looks amazing and I can’t wait to hear your thoughts!
Erin, Add Miner Family Wines, on the Silverado Trail to your tasting list. No art on the bottle but every wine is beyond yummy. Also don’t forget to stroll Yountville after (or before) you eat at Bouchon. Hope and Grace winery is yum, no appt necessary. Yountville is SO cute.
You must hit Foot Candy in Saint Helena, one of my favs!
REDD and Ad Hoc in Yountville are also fantastic if Bouchon is a zoo.
Have an amazing time
Make sure you get to Cade Winery in St. Helena. I was just there for a wedding reception on their terrace over looking all of Napa Valley. It is breathtaking, oh and they just happen to have fab wine. Enjoy!
I did a post on Thomas Keller and Bouchon in January. I LOVE THOMAS KELLER! He is the most talented and articulate chef out there. Try finding 1 spec of dirt there. Won’t happen.
I love this wine bottles. I hope that my wine store carries these. If they don’t I will let them know about these.
Have fun, Erin.
Teresa
Those are gorgeous! You picked the perfect place to stay, The Carneros Inn is central to both Napa and Sonoma and FARM restaurant is wonderful. The outside covered pavillion and firepit will take your breath away.
I live in Sonoma County, and although my blog is mostly about DIY and decorating, I’ve written up some of my favorite places, including Bouchon, the Carneros region, and other fantastic ‘don’t miss’ wineries in Napa and Sonoma. Stop by if you get a chance. And have a great trip!
http://www.centsationalgirl.com/category/wine-country/
xo
Kate
You are going to have a great time. I live an hour from the Wine Country and there is nothing like a spur of the moment trip. I like my wine. If you get a chance go to Hess Winery, it is a combination art gallery and winery, it is very unusual. I’ve put staying at Carneros on my to do list.
All the Best
Erin- I feel like I know you because I’ve been reading your blog for a few years now, but I hardly ever comment (one of those peeps). Anyway, I live in Napa Valley and would love to give you the insider’s version of some places to go: you MUST hit Darioush winery on the Silverado Trail- not only do they have great wine, but the decor and gift selection is to die for. The persian wife of the owner hand selects everything, and I usually want to buy it all! No other winery has better gifts or home decor….period. Ask for Marisol if she’s there…she is the most knowledgeable and friendly and her and her husband produced the “Merlove” documentary. Fascinating people. The best spot for lunch is Bistro Jeanty in Yountville. It’s a french bistro with adorable antiques- you have to order the Tomato soup or Cassoulet (and then worry about the calories consumed later)! Since you like art, you would love Hess Winery, as another person commented. They have a full art gallery in the winery. Another favorite restaurant for locals is Bistro Don Giovanni (although it doesn’t get the same press as all the Keller and co. restaurants). You’ll also have to spend an afternoon walking around the Sonoma Square and grabbing a meal at Girl in the Fig. Okay, that’s it! I could go on and on, but these are truly my favorites. And I loved this posting- those wine labels are amazing. My husband has his own, unique label with chemical formulas on it that depict different wine making processes. I wouldn’t say the packaging is “pretty” per say, but it’s definitely unique and makes you stop and think. http://www.educatedguesswine.com
Have SO MUCH FUN!!!! Can’t wait to see the highlights from your trip!
you need to make sure to hit up Honig Winery – its my favorite wine and its a little off the beaton path which means you get extra attn and its extra intimate.
Erin-
I just went there with my husband in July. I agree with Lindsey… you will love Darioush! Cakebread, La Chapelle, and Silver Oak are some of my other favorites. For food, Bouchon and Ad Hoc are awesome, as are Mustards and Brix for a little more casual atmosphere, but you have to hit this little lunch spot some Cali friends told us about Ristorante Tra Vigne (http://www.travignerestaurant.com/tv.html). They told us to order the mozzarella appetizer and a salad for lunch… “That’s all you need”, they said. Seriously, they make and pasteurize the cheese onsite, and they serve it fresh, slightly warmed, with fresh sourdough bread. IT CHANGED MY LIFE! It is the perfect alcohol absorber too, so you can go back out after lunch and enjoy more wine! Have so much fun, and can’t wait to read about it on the blog!
Hi Erin,
I just got back from Napa last week and had a blast.. You will definitely enjoy staying at Carneros and Bouchon is beyond words. We had dinner there and lunch almost every day, also make sure to stop at the Bakery next door and fill up on the delicious pastries and macaroons. My favorite winery was Castello di Amorosa and the wine is amazing, we end up shipping more wine than I expected but when girl likes her wine there is no stopping her. Enjoy and make sure to do the hot air balloon rides at sunset. Email me if you would like me to send you the company we used. Oh and it was definitely warm, I was expecting it to be cooler since I stayed in San Francisco for a week before heading to Napa and I was definitely in for a surprise. The weather was beautiful but it was in the 80′s and 70′s the whole time. Enjoy!
Oh Erin so jealous! We were in Napa this week last year for my husbands 40th and it was amazing…you can smell the grapes when you step out of the car! It was the start of Crush and it was so much fun.You will love it and I agree with all the posting above…never knew food could change your life until we went to Napa:) The food is so fresh an so yummy, if you go to Bisto Don Giovanni get the chocolate lava cake for dessert…most unbelievable thing I have ever tasted. Have fun, drink lots of wine and blog about it:)
Sounds like a fun trip! I love wine, too, and my only basic requirement is that it’s red. Other than that I find that I’m not picky at all. Or maybe my palette isn’t that refined. Either or.
If you like, check out this super cute wino wine tag: http://tinyurl.com/28zbycd (4th pic down).
Those are beautiful! How fun fun fun!
One of my “life list” items is dinner at French Laundry. Unless you are so famous that you can pull strings (I would try if I were you!), Bouchon is a worthy alternative. This post reminded me of an article I recently read about Thomas Keller/French Laundry: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/09/10/FDIP1F26JG.DTL–such incredible insight into the process; I think all artists can learn something from Thomas Keller.
I took my first trip to wine country last October–one of the best trips of my life. I know you already have reservations, but for anyone else, I highly recommend the Chanric Inn in Calistoga…unbeatable experience. Looking forward to reading about your trip. Enjoy!
If you have time, have lunch at the Auberge du Soleil Spa & Resort. The restaurant overlooks the entire valley – beyond words. Also the Oakville Grocery is a good stop if you want to stock up on fancy cheese and crusty bread. Napa is just in our backyard, so we head up there at least once a month – this time of year is definitely the best! You will have so much fun!
Hess Winery has an art gallery on the second floor of the winery, but it’s a bit out of the way. Beringer’s reserve room is in the restored home of one of the Beringer boys, and a great place to hang out on the porch with a glass of wine.
Enjoy!
Your post made me laugh ! We are planning a trip soon, can’t wait to hear all about it.
Hi Erin,
I was recently introduced to your blog earlier this year, and it actually inspired me to start a blog of my own to cater to people that travel to Napa Valley and also are interested in learning more about wine (all over the U.S.) from a fun perspective: http://thevinetowine.blogspot.com/
I work in the wine industry in Napa Valley as a wine sensory scientist, and I must admit you’ve chosen quite a charming place to stay for your visit. Although Bouchon comes highly recommended, another local favorite is Bistro Don Giavanni in Napa, right off Highway 29. As I saw another Napa Valley resident post, the Tomato Soup at Bistro Jeanty in Yountville is absolutely to die for. My boyfriend and I go there just for that soup. Additionally, although La Travigne has also been one of my personal favorites, we also very much enjoy their Pizzeria Travigne for the piadinis (the Mediterranean is our favorite), gelato, and free corkage fees. It has quite a charming ambiance nonetheless. Of course, if you want to go over the top, Auberge du Soleil is the place for all celebrities and captures quite a wonderful view of the valley.
In terms of wine, I often recommend Darioush off of the Silverado Trail for the architecture. It’s quite a sight to see. Gloria Ferrer Winery is one of our favorites (in Sonoma) for the bubbly, especially the Brut Rose. Also a very romantic spot in Sonoma. The Rhine House at Beringer is quite historic and beautiful. I’ve also very much enjoyed Artesa, in Sonoma, for it’s views and very modern look. As you are staying at the Carneros Inn, Domaine Carneros is also quite lovely. Close Pegase, at the northern end of the Napa Valley, is also famous for its art.
We currently live in Calistoga, at the northern end of the valley. It’s famous for its spas and mud baths, but it is also home to some very cute boutique shops. We especially enjoy Stix and Stones, which features a lot of furniture made out of old wine barrels. And if you get a chance, Jole, the restaurant, is absolutely phenomenal.
This is a good time of year to visit Napa Valley. The weather has been cool all summer, the reds are still hanging and waiting to be harvested. I hope you enjoyed your stay in Carneros.
Denise
Love these, what a great idea! Especially love the Black Clover…